I'd have to say I don't agree with this decision. Just because it was part of Manson's act doesn't mean the guard did not feel humiliated by it or find it offensive. If it's part of his act then he should get permission before hand to rub his crotch on people and not just assume they will like it or not be offended by it.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A federal court jury in St. Paul, Minnesota on Monday dismissed a civil suit against shock rocker Marilyn Manson brought by a security guard after Manson rubbed his crotch against the guard's head during a concert nearly three years ago.

The jury agreed with Manson's position that the contact between him and the guard was part of his elaborate stage show and "neither offensive nor harmful," according to a spokeswoman for Manson's label, Interscope/Geffen/A&M.

The U.S. District Court jury deliberated for three days before returning its verdict in the case, which stemmed from a performance in October 2000 at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis.

The rocker's touring company, Jimmy's Touring Inc., was also absolved of civil liability.

The security guard, David Diaz, filed a battery suit against Manson in December 2001, seeking $75,000 in damages. Diaz claimed he was subjected to emotional distress, mental anguish and humiliation after the recording star grabbed his head, held his hips against it and gyrated.

Manson commented: "The path to truth is obscured by frivolous lawsuits, but it's lit by the objectivity of a jury that sees the difference between entertainment and assault. I feel completely vindicated and I'd like to thank the jury and judge for their thoughtful verdict."

Manson faced criminal charges of felony fourth-degree criminal sexual misconduct and misdemeanor assault and battery in connection with a similar incident involving another security guard in July 2001.

After the felony was reduced to a misdemeanor, Manson pleaded no contest last June and agreed to pay a $4,000 fine. A Month earlier, the security guard in that case filed his own civil suit, which is still pending.

<BR><center>"Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look <br> what they can do when they stick together.." ... Vesta M. Kelly</center>

wow... 4000 dollars... they sure are sending a message to other rich people out there... i only hope they're sending out the right message

also, including the security guard in his show without the guards permission seems to me to be a violation of privacy, among other things.

however, that said, it sorta seems that the marylon manson may have been given "false signals", as it were... i mean, guards, i would think, would have some say in whom and what they guarded. did the guard want to guard marylon manson? if so, did he want to be close enough to the stage for marylon manson to be able to do that? if the guard was a fan of marylon mansons, that seems quite possible. anyways, if that were the case, then it seems to me as if the guard would have wanted to actually be in the show, to some extenct... but even if that were the case, that extenct was apparently limited.

Those are good points ... though from my personal perspective, if I liked a performer well enough to get in the front row or even run up on stage, it wouldn't signal my consent or desire for them to rub their crotch in my face.

<BR><center>"Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look <br> what they can do when they stick together.." ... Vesta M. Kelly</center>